154 VEGETABLE FORCING 
than another, as shown by larger and better crops. 
(3) Uniform distribution of water. A system which 
does not distribute the water evenly over the entire area 
of the beds cannot give the best results. 
(4) Effect on soil. Some systems of watering compact 
the soil, and cause the formation of hard incrustations 
on the surface of the beds. This effect is objectionable 
because it prevents the proper aeration of the soil and 
necessitates frequent tillage to break up the crust. 
(5) Mechanical injury to the plant. This may occur 
if a stream of water is forced against the plants through 
a nozzle which is not properly adjusted. 
(6) Labor cost. This factor should have special con- 
sideration. It is inefficiency to devote hours or days to 
work which might be accomplished by means of me- 
chanical devices that require very little attention. 
Watering can and hose.—In the early days of green- 
house cropping, all of the water was applied with water- 
ing cans. It isa 
slow, laborious 
method _ that 
should not be 
used in any com- 
mercial estab- 
lishment, except 
in starting small 
lots of plants. A 
step in advance 
was made when 
the hose was at- 
Fig. 52.—A convenient form of nozzle tached to the 
for greenhouse watering. nent i 
spigot, and water 
applied direct to the beds. Some growers use the hose 
without any nozzle, and this may be desirable if profuse 
watering is necessary, as during the summer months 
when cucumber plants have attained full development 
